About the eel river dams
Since 1908, the Potter Valley Project has diverted water from the headwaters of the Eel River into the Russian River Basin. The Project consists of two dams, a mile-long diversion tunnel, and a small powerhouse with a 9.4 mw capacity.
Cape Horn Dam, the downstream dam, has a fish ladder, though concerns have been raised about fish’s ability to navigate it. The larger upstream Scott Dam blocks fish passage into nearly 300 miles of coldwater habitat in the relatively high elevation Eel River headwaters in Mendocino National Forest. Read the study >>
Langridge, Christian-Smith, and Lohse. 2006
RETU and TU staff have been actively involved in working toward a collaborative two-basin solution which seeks the co-equal goals of improving fish passage and habitat in the Eel River watershed and minimizing adverse impacts to water supply reliability, fisheries, water quality, and recreation in the Eel and Russian River basins. More about Congressman Huffman’s Ad Hoc Group >>
In early 2019, PG&E notified the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee that they would abandon their license for the Potter Valley Project, creating uncertainty and accelerating the timeline for diverse interests to work toward a viable solution.
In May of 2020 a coalition comprised of California Trout, the County of Humboldt, the Mendocino County Inland Water & Power Commission, the Round Valley Indian Tribes, and Sonoma County Water Agency put forth a plan to have a yet to be formed Regional Entity take control of the project from PG&E. The group has committed to advancing the co-equal goals of the ad hoc and completed a Feasibility Study to weigh various project alternatives.
The Feasibility Study Report submitted to FERC in May outlines the future study plans and proposes the removal of Scott Dam, modifications to Cape Horn Dam and a continued wet season diversion into the Russian River Basin to generate power and ensure water needs are met. We remain cautiously optimistic that this proposal can receive support in both the Eel and Russian River basins and ultimately be successful.
RETU continues to work with TU staff and our partners at CalTrout and The Nature Conservancy toward a solution that supports abundant fish and wildlife in the Eel and Russian River Basins and modernizes water supply infrastructure to ensure local water supplies are maintained. This is a once in a lifetime chance to make a monumental change in how we manage what was once one of the greatest steelhead and salmon rivers in California and the heart of the Redwood Empire while also ensuring human needs are met.
More Resources
Scott Dam Removal Part of Potter Valley Coalition’s Proposal Read More>>
Local Coalition Advances Two-Basin Solution for Russian and Eel River Basins Read More>>
Firm hired to study options for Potter Valley Project Read More>>
Saving Salmon: Will overhauling Scott Dam save native fish? Read More >>
Humboldt County joins CalTrout, Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission (IWPC), and Sonoma Water in planning agreement and submits Notice of Intent to FERC Read More >>
Coming together for the Potter Valley Project Sonoma West Article Read more >>
California Trout, Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission (IWPC) and Sonoma Water announced that they will be signing a project planning agreement looking at paths to relicense the Potter Valley Project.
Read more >>Plan to acquire Potter Valley Project formally announced
Read More >>PG&E Orphaned the Potter Valley Project: What’s Happened & What Comes Next? Read More >>
Congressman Jared Huffman’s Ad Hoc Committee
http://pottervalleyproject.orgRead a once in a lifetime chance to restore the Eel River >>
PG&E decides to auction off the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project
Read More >>NOAA Fisheries introduction to river habitat projects, including a case study of Eel River habitat restoration.
Read More >>VIDEO: Benbow dam removal on South Fork of the Eel River - summer of 2016 Read More >>
Check out the Friends of the Eel River description of the project and actions
Read More >>Trout Unlimited National article on the Eel River coming back
Read More >>Hydropower Reform Coalition Potter Valley detailed project description
Read More >>How the Eel got its name, and efforts to piggyback on salmonid fish ladders for other species
Read More >>Benbow Dam Removal: Second largest concrete structure to be removed to date in California: Read More >>